vaishno devi yatra,katra, vaishnava yatra

A pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimages of our times. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji resides in a Holy Cave located in the folds of the three peaked mountain named Trikuta (pronounced as Trikoot). The Holy Cave attracts lakhs of devotees every year

Vaishno Devi yatra starts from the base camp at Katra from where people usually walk up about 12 km to the Vaishno Devi Bhawan. For reaching Katra, the last station head is Jammu, also the closest Airport. From Jammu one can take a bus or taxi to Katra about 50 km away.

Katra-Located at an altitude of about 2500 feet above sea level, Katra is the base camp for the Yatra to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji. This is the last point uptill which any type of modern transport can go (except the recently started Helicopter service, which takes the pilgrims right till Sanjichhat, just a couple of kilometers from the Holy Shrine). Therefore, for all practical purposes, Katra serves as the base camp.

Yatra Parchi or registration- On reaching Katra and before you can proceed for the Yatra you must get a yatra parchi or registration from Yatra Registration Counter near the bus stand. One yatra slip is for maximum of 9 members and more have to be taken in case more members are going. It is completely free and one must cross the first check post at Banganga(1.5km) within 6 hrs of issuing. You can also get the slip online at  Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board website which is the only STATUTORY & LEGAL authority for the purpose. No other organization, private or public is authorized to issue the Yatra slip. Click here to get a Yatra Slip online.

Katra Hotels- If you have been travelling overnite it is best to take a hotel at Katra and rest and rejuvenate for a while before proceeding further. The hotel also takes care of your belongings and will definitely be required once you come back from the Yatra, usually exhausted. Hotels at Katra

Katra to Bhavan - The yatra of about 12 km which starts form Katra proceeds via Darshani Darwaza, Banganga, Charan Paduka  and Adhkuwari. You can go via foot or palki or throuh Helicopter till Sanjhichat. Just before Adhkuwari there is a choice of taking the old or the new alternate track. Thus pilgrims using the old track are required to climb till Sanjichhat (6200 ft) via Hathimatha and then walk downhill till Bhawan (5200 ft). New Track You can take the alternate track about 500m before Adhkuwari or join it after Adkuwari via a subway. This new route going towards Bhawan is not only wider but cleaner too, since no ponies are allowed on this track. It is also easier to negotiate it because of the uniformity of the climb and a gentler gradient. You can also take the Battery operated van from here till the Bhawan and back.

Reaching Bhawan The Holy Bhawan houses the Sanctum Sanctorum – the Holy cave which is the ultimate destination of the yatries. Inside the Holy Cave the Goddess has revealed herself in the form of Holy Pindies manifesting Mata in her three forms Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Mata Saraswati. On reaching Bhawan take a group no. after showing your yatra slip. This group number would then determine the sequence in which the yatries would have the Holy Darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi and the time for which they would have to wait before obtaining Darshans. Join your group and and get the holy darshan on Ma Vaishno.

Mata Vaishno Devi is known to fulfill every body's wishes, I hope she fulfils yours too. Jai Mata Di